Since the summer of 2005, Hawaii Performing Arts Festival (HPAF) has continued to bring world-class music to Hawai’i Island. Over the past 17 years, HPAF has garnered an international reputation as a premier training and performance program for aspiring young artists worldwide, many of whom have gone onto significant careers as singers, conductors, directors, orchestral musicians, and teachers. Each season, HPAF assembles an exceptional roster of faculty artists who provide instruction and appear in a series of events for the Big Island community. As the Festival continues to work to resume full operations in 2022, a reimagined 2021 Summer Festival will continue to build upon that momentum. HPAF will offer four performances to in-person audiences for the first time in 24 months. The Journey Back will run from July 8 – 18, 2021 at Kahilu Theatre. Ticket info below.
On Thursday, July 8 at 7 p.m., HPAF will open the season with Stars of Tomorrow, featuring local Big Island talent and alumni of HPAF’s Young Singer Program. Directed by Beth Dunnington, this concert will feature Becca Barrett, Stacee Firestone, Eric Gee, Daniel Gregg, Noelani Loughery-Kawaihoa, Benito Mercia, Pantanjali Raul, and Grace Todd. On Tuesday, July 13 at 7 p.m., critically-acclaimed soprano Rachel Copeland and pianist Val Underwood will present an intimate evening of operatic gems and classical art songs in Songs of Hope. The season continues Friday, July 16 at 7 p.m., featuring three-time American Prize winner Justin John Moniz and Festival-favorite Phil Kadet. The duo will perform popular favorites and share heartfelt stories from their debut album, Along the Way. The 2021 summer Festival will conclude Sunday, July 18 at 4 p.m. with Rise Up, a celebration of musical theatre showstoppers, featuring HPAF Alumna and Broadway talent Nyla Waton (Wicked, The Color Purple) and award-winning music director Ana Flavia Zuim (Hamilton, Billy Elliot).
HPAF will welcome a reduced capacity in-person audience to Kahilu Theatre for each performance. In addition, concert-goers can tune into the performances from home via Kahilu.TV. Tickets for all events are now available via the Kahilu Theatre Box Office by visiting: https://kahilutheatre.org/Shows/2021-July
For additional Festival information, please visit:www.hawaiiperformingartsfestival.org.
ABOUT HAWAII PERFORMING ARTS FESTIVAL
HPAF is a nonprofit organization whose aim is to offer a world-class music training and performance program in the inspirational setting of Hawaii and to improve the education and elevate the spirit of all who participate, especially the local community.